Fibromyalgia Diagnosis - How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?

Visit your GP is the first recommendation for those who think they may have fibromyalgia. Diagnosing fibromyalgia can be difficult because of the unavailability of a specific test for this problem. It is also observed that the symptoms of fibromyalgia vary from person to person and is similar to many other conditions. Consequently, the diagnostic method of fibromyalgia takes time.

A general practitioner will usually ask the person for their pain, symptoms, condition or other problem on the life and the drug taken by each day. Sometimes a GP chooses the physical examination of the person to check the visible signs of conditions that tend to exclude fibromyalgia.

How is fibromyalgia diagnosed depends on the symptoms of the mixture in front of the person is diagnosed by their GP. If the GP thinks you may have fibromyalgia, then it will first check for other conditions that can cause symptoms such as fibromyalgia. Chronic fatigue syndrome is one of these conditions also cause symptoms such as fibromyalgia, long-term fatigue.

Also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis. Multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis also cause effects on the nervous system involving the movement of unbalanced body, swelling and inflammation in the joints. Could take X-rays and blood tests to see is there any other problems with similar symptoms of fibromyalgia. Although the GP learns that the individual faces no other condition, there are still opportunities for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

When all other conditions and possibilities are verified, then there are two criteria used to confirm the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. If the symptoms of the person subject to the condition, the person is diagnosed with this problem. The two criteria on how to diagnose fibromyalgia is widespread pain in the right and left sides of the body for more than 3 months, and the sensation of pain in 11 of 18 tender points on the body when pressed.

People who fall into two above criteria are likely to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Tender points are points on the body where you feel pain at its worst. These are the points on the body, each feels more sensitive to pain. Tender points are the shoulder blades, neck and inside elbows. Usually the doctor will also touch other areas of the body, and for comparison of pain between points and other sensitive body parts.

There are also some other conditions that are coupled with the diagnosis of fibromyalgia person. Prolonged sadness and depression, worry and anxiety, feeling irritable bowel syndrome constant feelings are additional conditions. It is important that you go for further testing if symptoms suggest that you have another condition. The identification of all possible conditions which also helps management to have the right treatment.